Beverage machine using ingredient capsules

Abstract

The invention concerns a beverage machine comprising a casing ( 32 ) enclosing: a first part ( 34 ) for receiving an ingredient capsule therein, a second part ( 70 ) having a surface ( 91 ) provided with perforating projecting members ( 90 ) facing the first part, an opening ( 76 ) in the casing enabling the capsule to be inserted in a direction of insertion (Z) between the first and second parts, the first and second parts being movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis (X) perpendicular to surface ( 91 ) between a first position in which first and second parts are spaced apart so that the ingredient capsule is inserted therebetween and a second position in which first and second parts are close to each other so that the capsule is in contact with the member. The members ( 90 ) are provided in an arrangement on the surface with respect to the opening ( 76 ) so as to permanently reduce the risk of trapping of the capsule by the members during the capsule insertion.

1 . A beverage machine comprising a casing enclosing:
 a first part for receiving an ingredient capsule therein,   a second part having a surface comprising perforating projecting members facing the first part,   an opening in the casing allowing the ingredient capsule to be inserted in a direction of insertion between the first and second parts,   the first and second parts being movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the second part surface between two positions, a first position in which the first and second parts are spaced apart so that the ingredient capsule is inserted therebetween and a second position in which the first and second parts are close to each other so that the ingredient capsule received in the first part is in contact with the perforating projecting members, the insertion direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and   the perforating projecting members are positioned with respect to the opening so as to reduce the risk of trapping of the ingredient capsule in a non-desired position by the perforating projecting members during the insertion of the ingredient capsule.   
     
     
         2 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a space left open by the perforating projecting members on the surface is dimensioned and/or oriented so as to reduce the risk of trapping of the ingredient capsule by the perforating projecting members during the insertion of the ingredient capsule. 
     
     
         3 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein a space left open by the perforating projecting members is dimensioned in an orientation perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ingredient capsule so as to reduce the risk of trapping of the ingredient capsule by the perforating projecting members during the insertion of the ingredient capsule. 
     
     
         4 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the perforating projecting members each have several perforating edges lying in a plane parallel to the surface of the second part, the perforating edges of the perforating projecting members which are oriented toward the opening being positioned at an angle to the insertion direction that is less than 90° when viewed in a plane where the perforating edges lie. 
     
     
         5 . Beverage machine according to  claim 4 , wherein the angle is less than 75°. 
     
     
         6 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement is in the form of a grid. 
     
     
         7 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the perforating projecting members are truncated pyramids each extending from a base connected to the surface to a free end that has a squared surface defined by four linear perforating edges. 
     
     
         8 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the second part comprises a plate having a surface provided with the perforating projecting members, and that is able to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the surface, the machine comprising a positioning member for positioning the surface in a predetermined angular position where the arrangement of the perforating projecting members allows a reduction of the risk of trapping of the ingredient capsule by the perforating projecting members during the insertion of the ingredient capsule. 
     
     
         9 . Beverage machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the positioning member allows the surface to be slightly rotated around the predetermined angular position. 
     
     
         10 . Beverage machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the plate is mounted against a support and the positioning member comprises male and female cooperating members on the support and the plate to prevent the plate from being significantly rotated from the predetermined angular position. 
     
     
         11 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the part is selected among the first and second parts and is movable relative to the other part is displaced according to a rectilinear path along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . Beverage machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the first part that receives an ingredient capsule is moveable and the second part is in a fixed position. 
     
     
         13 . A set comprising a beverage machine and an ingredient capsule having side and bottom walls defining a container that is filled with ingredients and closed by a closing member, the ingredient capsule having a flange extending laterally from side wall, the beverage machine comprising a casing enclosing:
 a first part for receiving an ingredient capsule therein;   a second part having a surface that is provided with perforating projecting members facing the first part and having guiding members for guiding the ingredient capsule;   an opening in the casing allowing the ingredient capsule to be inserted in a direction of insertion between the first and second parts while the flange of the ingredient capsule is guided by the guiding members;   the first and second parts being movable relative to each other along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the second part surface between two positions, a first position in which the first and second parts are spaced apart so that the ingredient capsule is inserted therebetween and a second position in which the first and second parts are close to each other so that the ingredient capsule received in the first part is in contact with the perforating projecting members, the insertion direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and   the perforating projecting members are positioned in an arrangement on the surface of the second part with respect to the opening so as to reduce the risk of trapping of the flange of the ingredient capsule in a non-desired position by the perforating projecting members during the insertion of the ingredient capsule.